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Updated: The UK iPhone 4 Launch: What We Know So Far

The iPhone 4 was the highlight of an eventful WWDC Conference keynote hosted by Steve Jobs yesterday; improved specifications, longer battery life and lower prices were some of the key improvements that has all the Apple fanboy’s itching to get their credit cards out and pre-order the device.

The iPhone 4 is due to launch worldwide on the 25th June with UK pre-orders commencing on the 15th. Luckily for us, UK consumers we seem to be spoilt for choice with at least four of the major networks (now five – including Three) announcing they will be carrying the iPhone 4 once it becomes available.

Whilst any firm details are hard to come by, this article will list all of the key information you need to make an informed purchase when (or if) you decide to get the latest and greatest Apple smartphone.

Where Can I Buy The iPhone 4?

As mentioned above, the iPhone 4 will launch on all five of the UK’s major networks. Below is a list of links where you can sign up for more information with the carrier of your choice:

As you can see, UK consumers are almost spoilt for choice. Should units become scarce, the Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U will be most likely provide contracts for all of the major networks.

Steve Jobs announced the pricing for the two iPhone models – $199 for 16GB and $299 for 32GB. There has been no word on UK pricing yet, all carriers keeping details of handset cost and tariffs close to their chests.

There is some good news for o2 customers; the mobile operator is keen to help its customers upgrade to the new handset, introducing a “special upgrade deal” that could allow existing iPhone owners to upgrade to the iPhone 4 once they enter the last six months on their existing contract.

o2 writes on its website:

“To make it as easy as possible for O2 customers still in contract to get their hands on a new iPhone, O2 will offer a limited time special upgrade offer. Further details will be announced in the coming days.”

Unfortunately no extra information has been published either by Apple or the mobile operators, leaving us in the dark as to how much the device will cost and how long we will be tied into contracts when purchasing the handset.

Check back, we will update this article as soon as any further information becomes available.

Update – o2 has just opened its new iPhone 4 microsite, providing further details on its early upgrade offer. Instead of asking existing customers to pay off the remainder of their contract, o2 is allowing customers to pay £20 for each full month left on their contract.

Users who take up the offer will be locked into a new 18 month or 24 month contract.

We will let you know when we hear more from Orange, Vodafone and T-Mobile.